The educational system of the USA is renowned across the world. With some of the best institutions and colleges in the world and the numerous opportunities that come with graduating from a university in the USA. One-year STEM courses in the USA are distinguished by top-notch academics, cutting-edge infrastructure, eminent teachers, and a futuristic attitude.
You have a variety of options to choose from and pursue if you want to enroll in a 1-year course in the USA.
Although most people are familiar with the two-year master’s programs offered in the USA, the country also offers one-year programs for students who want to enter the field or develop their careers. You can also choose to complete your one-year Diploma in America.
Why Study 1-Year Courses in the USA?
- In the USA, students can earn a 1-year degree and be ready for the job market in as little as a year.
- 1-year courses in the USA are more efficient and less costly.
- When you add a diploma from a different field to your university degree, you open up a lot of doors to better and more successful job prospects.
- Another perk is that you can check off many sets of requirements in different fields in just one year thanks to the short length of time it takes to earn a 1 year degree in the USA.
- Earning a degree in the US is a great way to boost your career prospects by expanding your horizons and sharpening your abilities.
- Studying for a 1-year degree in the USA can also help you land a higher-paying job.
- Most of them may be done online, saving you money on travel expenses like plane tickets, visas, etc.
1 Year Courses in the USA
Universities in the US offer a variety of 1-year diploma & master’s programs. Below, we list some of the popular 1-year diploma & masters programs available to international students:
Diploma & Certificate Programs
- Diploma in Accounting
- Diploma in General Medicine
- Diploma in Engineering Management
- Certificate in Farm Business Management
- Diploma in Entrepreneurship
- Diploma in Welding
- PG Diploma in Digital Marketing
- Diploma in Electrical Control Technology
- Certificate in Administrative Assistant
- Diploma in Big Data Technologies
- Diploma in General Machinist
- Diploma in Hotel or Hospitality Management
- Diploma Interior Design
- Diploma in Communication Design
- Diploma in Carpentry
Let’s look at some of the best universities in the USA offering 1-year diplomas and certificates:
University | QS Ranking | Courses |
University of California – Berkeley | 10 | Certificate in Adult EducationCertificate in Professional Technical Education |
Johns Hopkins University | 28 | Graduate Performance DiplomaArtist’s Diploma |
Purdue University | 99 | Certificate in Entrepreneurship and InnovationGraduate Certificate in Entrepreneurship and Innovation |
University of Wisconsin – Madison | 102 | Certificate in Development EconomicsEngineering Data AnalyticsSupply Chain Management |
University of Southern California | 116 | Health Communication ManagementMarketing Communication ManagementNew Communication Technologies |
University of Minnesota –Twin Cities | 195 | Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Environmental EducationPost-Baccalaureate Certificate in Community College TeachingPost-Baccalaureate Certificate in Educational Computing and Technology |
University of Pittsburgh | =222 | Certificate in Information System DesignDigital Media |
Northern Arizona University | 1001-1200 | Certificate in Business AnalyticsCertificate in Marketing |
One-Year Masters Programs in the USA
1-year master’s programs in the USA cover a variety of subject areas across several specializations. Here are a few examples:
- Chemical Engineering
- Business Analytics
- Engineering Management
- Financial Management
- Technology Management
- Finance
- Computer Science
- Cybersecurity
- Business Administration
- Marketing
- Nursing
- Health Informatics
- Food Science
- Economics
- Project Management
- Digital Marketing
- Psychological Sciences
Let’s look at some of the best universities in the USA offering 1-year master’s programs:
University | QS Ranking | Courses |
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | 33 | Master of Social Work Master of Engineering in Energy Systems Engineering |
University of Texas at Austin | 58 | Master of Science in Business Analytics MSc in Information Technology and Management |
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign | 64 | Master of Bioengineering Master of Science in Business Analytics |
Pennsylvania State University | 83 | Master of Geographic Information Systems Master of Engineering in Electrical Engineering Master of Science in Nursing |
Texas A&M University | =134 | MS in Health EducationMS in Statistics |
Michigan State University | =136 | Master of Science in Business Research Master of Science in Engineering Mechanics Master of Arts in Communication |
Rice University | =145 | Master of Bioengineering Master of Science in Business Analytics |
University of Florida | 168 | Master of Science in Civil Engineering Master of Advertising |
Job Opportunities after 1-year courses in the USA
After completing the 1-year courses in the USA, you can apply for a variety of positions. If you have an outstanding understanding and skills in the chosen field, you can potentially earn a higher salary. You may learn more about the various job roles and their associated yearly salaries in the table below:
Job Positions | Salary Per Year in USD |
Information Technology Director | $125,000 |
Project Manager | $115,000 |
Water Quality Technician | $50,000 |
Nutritionist | $78,000 |
Creative Director | $120,000 |
Database Architects | $140,000 |
Clinical Manager | $56,000 |
Engineer Trainee | $70,000 |
Community Service Managers | $69,000 |
Business Analysts | $130,000 |
Requirements for Diploma Courses
In the USA, students have the opportunity to get a diploma in a variety of fields. Nevertheless, to earn a degree, you have to fulfill a set of requirements that are considered to be the very minimum.
Let’s look at the requirements for diploma and certificate programs:
- A high school diploma (minimum marks vary by American university) is required to enroll in a 1-year diploma or certificate program in the USA. You need a bachelor’s degree with a 3.0 GPA or higher to enroll in a PG Diploma program.
- IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, and other English proficiency test scores are an important requirement.
- Most universities in the USA require applicants to submit SAT or ACT scores as part of their application.
Requirements for Masters Courses
Make sure you meet the requirements for admission to US universities before applying for a 1-year master’s degree program. The requirements for admission to each university will vary. However, the following are certain requirements that are typically expected:
- A three- or four-year undergraduate degree in a related academic field is required of all applicants. The typical GPA for a student should be 3.0, or 65-70%.
- For easy entrance into institutions, international students who want to pursue a 1-year master’s degree in the USA sometimes may have to show work experience of at least 2 years.
- IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, and other English proficiency test scores are an important requirement.
- CV/Resume
Scholarships available for 1-year courses in the USA
There are several scholarships for international students who enroll in 1-year courses in the USA. Now let’s look at some of these great opportunities:
- President’s and Trustee’s scholarship
- Laurel Hummel Scholarship for International Students
- UCR University Extension Scholarship for Student Success
- Fulbright Student Program
- Ingrid Skulstad Williams Scholarship for Women
- Next-Gen Scholarship
Frequently Asked Questions
Not all colleges and universities need students to have work experience, but there are a select few that do.
Getting a master’s degree on a full scholarship in the USA may be difficult. When applying to universities, it’s important to make sure you meet all of the requirements.
International students are allowed to stay for 60 days following graduation or the end of the program to complete their work, take a holiday, or for any other reason.
They may work for one year if they choose to complete an optional practical training(OPT) program or work in a non-STEM profession, and they may work for three years if they choose to work in a STEM field.
Students in the US do have access to some excellent options, both in terms of careers and exposure. So, it is worth doing 1-year courses in the USA.
Conclusion
Students and working professionals can develop their leadership skills and become specialists by earning a degree. 1-year programs allow students to finish their master’s degree in their chosen field faster and offer several benefits. A year courses are 25% less expensive than standard undergraduate and graduate programs.
One-year courses in the USA might last anything from six weeks to a year. Another bonus is that companies increasingly check applicants’ talents through such courses before hiring them, so this is also a plus.
Staying ahead of other applicants in the application process, organizing your documents and submitting them on time, and organizing your application in advance are some of the greatest strategies to get into the school of your choosing.
With a profound passion for international education, I am deeply committed to supporting students in their pursuit of studying abroad. It’s amazing to see their dreams come true. It’s rewarding to help them with visas, costs, and scholarships. Through continuous professional development and hands-on experience, I have acquired extensive knowledge in these areas over the last 5 years, offering personalized guidance that empowers students to make informed decisions about their educational journeys. I keep learning and using that knowledge to help students and families.